Benefits of Study Groups
Material is better understood and retained
Students can confirm with each other any confusing or complex subject material
Fellow students can be a source of support and encouragement
Opportunity to teach, not just be recipient of someone else’s knowledge
Increase in confidence in academic capability
Opportunity to learn new study habits from peers
Learning becomes more personally relevant and intellectually stimulating
Getting Started
Ask motivated students to join your group
Set an optimal group size of about three or four people
Establish the group’s goals and set some important ground rules (see below)
Create a regular schedule of meetings and assignments
Select an ideal, distraction-free location
Be sure everyone prepares for the group and is willing to participate
Evaluate the group periodically to be sure it is on task and meeting its goals
Some ground rules for study group sessions…
Be on time and prepared
Be respectful of others’ ideas
Have homework, study guides, sample test questions, etc. completed before session
Have questions about material ready to discuss
Bring class notes and textbooks to study sessions Things to do at group sessions…
Establish goals and what you hope to accomplish by joining a study group
Review lecture notes together; discuss anything you did not understand
Discuss key concepts from lectures and textbook
Discuss what questions you expect to be on tests and exams
Review past exams if the professor has made them available
Work on assignments
Do practice problems
Study or tests or exam